Metro Council to consider $500,000 'Nashville' incentive next month

Aug. 27, 2013

Written by

Michael Cass

The Tennessean

More than two months after announcing plans to give a $500,000 incentive to the second season of the ABC show "Nashville," Mayor Karl Dean's administration has filed legislation with the Metro Council to do just that.

Calling the prime-time drama “a once-in-a-generation promotional vehicle and business recruitment tool for our City” seen by more than 5 million people each week, the legislation — filed in the form of two related resolutions — lays out a plan to take the money from Metro’s general fund and give it to Music City Productions Inc., the show’s producer.

One of the resolutions says a 30-second commercial during “Nashville” for any other product costs more than $140,000. At that rate, an advertiser would get less than two minutes of air time for $500,000.

But each of the 22 expected episodes “will provide an hour-long showcase” for the city. Meanwhile, Nashville and its businesses will benefit financially in more direct ways as well, according to the legislation.

“It is anticipated that for the duration of Season 2, the production will spend over $40 million in this region on both Tennessee resident labor and on goods and services at over 400 local vendors, including but not limited to hotels, restaurants, caterers and florists,” it says.

The council is expected to take up both resolutions at its next meeting on Sept. 10, the Metro Clerk’s office said.

The state of Tennessee has said it will contribute up to $12.5 million to the production. The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. and Metro's Event Marketing Fund also will contribute $125,000 each. The state contributed to the first season of filming in Nashville, but this will be the city’s first time to contribute to the show’s production efforts in Music City.

Contact Michael Cass at 615-259-8838 or mcass@tennessean.com. Ask him a question on Twitter @tnmetro